Worship and Music

Dear Friends in Christ:

Welcome to St. Paul’s!

I think you will find St. Paul’s to be a lively gathering of faithful people who are passionate about the Gospel and who care about each other and the community. We are a “Reconciling in Christ” congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Please feel free to visit with us on Sunday morning for worship or participate in some of our ministries and events.

From the Pastor's Desk:

Dear Friends in Christ,

Henri Nouwen tells the story of an old man who used to meditate every morning on the bank of the Ganges River. One morning, after his meditation, he saw a scorpion floating helplessly on the water. As the scorpion washed closer to the bank, the old man reached out to rescue the drowning creature. As soon as he reached it, however, the scorpion stung him. Instinctively the man withdrew his hand. A minute later, though, he tried again. This time the scorpion stung him so badly with its poisonous tail that the hand became swollen and his face contorted with pain.

At that moment, a young man passed by and saw what had happened. He shouted: "Hey, stupid old man, what's wrong with you? Only a fool would risk his life for an ugly, evil creature. Don't you know you could kill yourself trying to save that ungrateful scorpion?" Looking into the stranger's eyes the old man said calmly, "My friend, just because it is the scorpion's nature to sting, that does not change my nature to save."

This is such a wonderful story about the love of God. Just because it is our nature to sin, that does not change God's nature to save. It seems to me that ever since the fall of humankind recorded in Genesis 3, God has been on a rescue mission to save the world. God has been on a rescue mission to save you and me! The tragedy seems to be that every time God reaches out God's hand to help us, we sting God with our disobedience and rebelliousness. We continue to sting one another with the poison of our hatred, prejudice and indifference.

The good news is that we have a God who doesn't give up on us. We have a God whose very nature it is to save. For God did not send his Son to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:17). The love of God in Jesus Christ is the vaccine that saves us from the sin that continues to poison our lives and our relationships. It is, as the spiritual says, "the balm that heals the sin-sick soul."

During the course of Lent let us remember and rejoice in this life saving love from above. Let us reflect upon all that our Lord endured for you and me through his sufferings and death on the cross. By humbly confessing before the Crucified One our "scorpion" like ways to sting and poison the world God has given us, we will come to praise the Risen One who gives us hope and life eternal.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Thomas A. Omholt

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Help refugee families while you spring clean!

Have any unused kitchen items in your cupboards or on overstock of paper towels in your closet? Why not donate these items to a family in need? For this year's Lenten Service Project, the SPLC Social Ministry Committee is partnering with Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area to ensure that a refugee family has a home with all the essentials when they arrive in the United States! Until shortly after Easter, we're collecting small, used items like kitchenwares and linens; small, new items such as toiletries, cleaning supplies, and baby gear; and large, used items like furniture. All used items must be in dignity condition, meaning that they are not broken, ripped, or stained. See the list below for a more comprehensive list of items. We're unable to collect items not on the list at this time.

If you have an item that you would like to donate, please bring small items to the portico before or after services. For larger items, please email Tom (tfoley2@gmail.com) or Emily Foley (emilywfoley@gmail.com) to coordinate drop off.

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Report on Annual Congregational Meeting

The Annual Congregational Meeting of St. Paul's Lutheran Church took place on January 28th. At the meeting, the congregation took the following actions:

1. Approved the proposed 2018 budget.

2. Elected the following members to serve:

Trustee - 3 year term:Kay Cartwright

Council - 3 year term: Pam Wannen (incumbent)

Council - 3 year term: Kate Belinski

Council - 3 year term: James Carstenson

Council - 3 year term: Mark Dueholm

Council - 1year term: Tina Schendt

Congregational Secretary: Lynn Adkins

Congregational Treasurer: Rod Larson

Copies of the Annual Report are available in the church office.

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From Pastor Tom...

After the 11:00 am worship service on March 4th, I came into my office to find a beautiful gift with a note attached. However, the note was not signed and I feel terrible that I have not been able to properly thank the generous gift giver! Please let me know who you are so I can personally thank you!

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St. Paul's Food Pantry needs your help! Please consider contributing soups, pasta sauce, peanut butter, canned tuna and canned chicken. Items can be left in the basket in the narthex or the basket in the pantry. Thank You!

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Stewardship Campaign Is Underway!

In 2018, St. Paul's celebrates its 175th anniversary! Our stewardship theme for this special year is "High - Five for 175!" God's Work. Our Hands. Giving in Gratitude. We are celebrating St. Paul's past and our ministry for the future. God is doing amazing things in our world and in our church and God is doing these amazing things through each of you as you continue along in your own individual journeys of stewardship.

If you have not yet completed and turned in your time and talent survey and financial commitment card - it is not too late!Please prayerfully contemplate and complete the time and talent survey and financial commitment card and return it to the church before the end of the year. Please remember that your commitment for 2018 is in addition to your generous commitment to the Capital Campaign. Thank You!

Update on Stewardship Campaign

As of today, we have received 41 pledge cards. Of these, 3 are new pledges, 20 reflect an increase in giving, 7 were at a decreased level of giving and 11 chose to stay at the same level of giving.

Prime Time

Our Prime Time Members participating in a meditative activity using Tibetan Singing Bowls.

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TELLERS NEEDED!

We are looking for people interested in volunteering for this very important church function. It consists of a two member team that works on Sundays after church or Monday for about 1 or 2 hours collecting, counting and recording the offering. The teams are assigned a month at a time, usually 3 or 4 months a year (depending on how many teams we have). Sundays can be switched with other teams. Training and written instructions are provided. Please contact Paula Stewart 410-956-7117 or the church office to volunteer.

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Thank you for supporting the National Youth Gathering team at their second fundraiser, the Bake Sale! We had so many amazing and yummy treats to sell!

The youth raised $1,541.85, which is a great help for supporting our 25 youth and 5 adults as they raise funds for plane tickets and hotel costs.

Many thanks to all of the families of St. Paul's, Luther Place, Reformation, and Augustana Lutheran Churches who baked, and to Luther Place for hosting us.

Each of the StLuthRef churches is hosting a fundraiser for the National Youth Gathering team. The next fundraiser, a parents' Night Out will be held at Reformation in March! Look for more information soon about the date and how you can support the team!

CHORAL CONCERT THIS SATURDAY--March 17th at St. Paul's!

On Saturday the 17th at 7:30 pm, the Concert Choir of Macalester College (from St. Paul, MN) will present a free concert at St. Paul's as part of its spring tour. The program, entitled "Americana", will feature guitarist/composer Jeffrey Van's "A Procession Winding Around Me", accompanied on guitar by the composer himself. Professor Michael McGaghie conducts the choir.

Lenten Services and Fellowship

Wednesdays @ 6 pm

"Soup, Sacrament, and Holden Evening Prayer"

Each Wednesday during Lent we will meet in the church's dining room for mid-week Lenten activities. At 6:00 pm, there will be a child-friendly activity and devotion time, followed by a light supper at 6:30 pm. Then we head upstairs for the Holden Evening Prayer service in the Chancel at 7:30 pm. In addition to Holy Communion we will visit two main "stations" for prayer and meditation.

Over the last 6 years, these Lenten Mid-Week "Soup and Sacrament" gatherings have been a huge success, and a wonderful opportunity to share the Lenten journey with one another. We hope you'll join us again this year!

Lenten Devotional Center

As St. Paul's continues its forty day journey to the Cross please take a few minutes to review the Lenten devotional materials located in the narthex and portico. You will find daily Lenten devotions for adults and Lenten activity sheets for the children to work on during the week. Check out "The Cross in My Pocket" coins with a small card of explanation and the Lenten prayer cards that can be tucked away for a quick Lenten meditation. Take one with you. May these materials provide moments of quiet meditation and reflection on your Lenten journey. If you have any questions please contact Deaconess Cassie at

9:15 am-10:45 am Easter Breakfast & Sunday School Easter Egg Hunt

10:40 am Pre-service music from Coolspring Brass Ensemble

11:00am Festival Service

Regular Schedule of Services 2018:

Sunday Morning Worship: 8:30 am and 11:00 am

Sunday School: 9:45 am Chapel in Fellowship Hall

(aka Lower Auditorium)

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Adult Sunday School Special Guest THIS Sunday, March 18th

As part of our 175th Anniversary Celebration, the Adult Sunday School has invited Phil Teigen, a local Lutheran Church historian, to discuss early Lutheran churches in the Washington area, and their development. All are welcome to attend!

The adult Sunday School class meets in the Lower Auditorium (Fellowship Hall) following Sunday School Chapel at 9:45 am.

St. Paul's Celebrates 175 Years!

175th Anniversary Worship Service

Sunday, April 15, 2018 11:00 am

(One service only)

All are invited to the 175th Anniversary Worship Service to be held on the 3rd Sunday of Easter, April 15, 2018. It was on April 15, 1843 that St. Paul's was officially organized at the worship service that day. All members and friends of the congregation are invited that day to celebrate our rich history, and to pray for a bright and Spirit led future.

Please watch for upcoming information and events in the weekly enews, bulletin inserts, and the St. paul's website.

Did You Know...

The Rev. John G. Butler was pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church from 1849 to 1873. While serving at St. Paul's, Reverend Butler was one of the first regimental and hospital chaplains appointed by President Abraham Lincoln at the outbreak of the Civil War.

Capital Campaign Update

We are excited to report that as of this writing, we've had 71 commitments totaling $372,616 for the Our Time, Our Turn Capital Campaign. Thank you to all who have taken the step of turning in their pledge cards. Your early commitment to this campaign is much appreciated!

For those of you who have not yet committed, we need you now more than ever as we have a ways to go to reach our goal of $900,000. There is still time to fill out a pledge card--pick one up in the Portico, the Narthex, or by clicking HERE. Remember that your pledge-no matter the size-is crucial to the success of the Capital Campaign.

Do you need help figuring out how to take the next step? Please contact Mike Charlton, the Chair of the Capital Campaign. Mike can discuss with you the various ways that you can contribute to the Our Time, Our Turn Capital Campaign.